Hello and welcome to another new season preview thread! Full credit goes to Caraniel for the information, pictures, pretty much everything except the thread itself and the initial thoughts on the shows, for which you'll have to make do with me.

(Original post by Summary:)
Latest adaptation of Masamune Shirow's manga.
In the wake of the destruction of a worldwide non-nuclear war, the city Olympus has become the control center of the world. Run by Bioroids (cloned humans made from only the best DNA), it is defended from terrorists by special military forces. Among these are former LAPD SWAT member Deunan Knotts and her multipurpose cyborg partner Brialeos. They face a challenge from the Human Liberation Front and its terrorist underbelly the Argonauts. The leader of this group, Al Ceides, supposedly died 20 years ago in an attack on Poseidon, but now his shadow emerges once again.

Cara: So it’s airing this season rather than last – copypasta~!
I have very limited experience with Appleseed, having only seen a handful of OVAs/movies. There’s very little information on this new incarnation aside from the fact it’s going to be completely CGI & 13 episodes long.

(Original post by Summary:)
Anime adaptation of the MARVEL comic.
The story revolves around Blade, a "Daywalker" vampire hunter who was born with vampire and human blood after a vampire attacked his mother. While visiting Japan on a mission, Blade tracks down Deacon Frost, the vampire who killed his mother. Blade confronts "Existence," a mysterious organization composed of vampires modified by Frost.

Cara: So…..another Marvel/Madhouse collaboration. I’ve yet to finish one of these, and it’s really not for lack of trying! I want to like them , I really do, but Ironman was fecking retarded, Wolverine boring, X-Men was reasonable and then got **** fast…..and now we have Blade, which looks crap from the start – the PV isn’t really very tempting unlike with the others. Perhaps this is a good sign though! With the other collabs I liked the PVs but was disappointed by the actual shows, perhaps this time I’ll be unimpressed by the PV and like the show?? Stranger things have happened!

(Original post by Summary:)
Third season of the anime adaptation of Yuki Midorikawa’s manga series.
Natsume Takashi has the ability to see spirits, which he has long kept secret. However, once he inherits a strange book that belonged to his deceased grandmother, Reiko, he discovers the reason why spirits surround him. Containing the names of these spirits, a binding contract was formed between the spirits and the owner of the book. Now, Natsume is determined to free the spirits and dissolve the contracts. With the help of a spirit cat, his days are filled trying to return the names to these spirits.

Cara: This is a must watch for me. Natsume Yuujinchou is such a lovely little series, strongly character driven with a very affecting atmosphere, it’s always been a joy to watch and read. As I’m up to date with the manga I know what to expect from this third season, very much looking forward to seeing how the anime adapts the up coming arcs!

(Original post by Summary:)
Anime adaptation of Namori’s manga series.
Four fun-loving schoolgirls take over the former room of a tea ceremony club for their own “Gorakubu” (amusement club).

This is where I take over the first impressions. So the name contains yuri, and the manga serialized in a yuri magazine called Yuri Hime. Despite this, I've read that there is actually no yuri whatsoever in it, just four girls acting moe in an afterschool club... Really hoping this won't be another K-ON! clone, as I'm getting bored of them now. Still, seeing the director of Minami-ke and Mitsudomoe in charge is a positive sign.

Summary: Anime adaptation of Hajime Yamamura’s manga series.
The story centres around Kyouhei, a college student who grew up in a village that deified figureheads named kukuri as gods. Kyouhei abandoned his hometown when he moved to Tokyo and immersed himself in college life. However, he comes across his younger sister Utao with her kukuri in Tokyo. He learns from his sister that a fugitive named Aki from his hometown has also arrived in Tokyo (with his kukuri in tow) and is responsible for a horrific crime that Kyouhei had just witnessed. Kyouhei realizes that he cannot escape what he tried to leave behind in the village.

The summary couldn't possibly be any more different from the trailer and promo picture. I'm guessing this will be action-packed and violent, but with a lighter, comedic side as well. Based on the PV and the fact its being produced by Brains Base, the animation alone is reason enough for me to check this out!

(Original post by Summary:)
Anime adaptation of Yumi Unita’s manga series.
Thirty-year-old bachelor Daikichi comes home from his grandfather’s funeral to discover a little girl named Rin in his garden. Rin is the 6-year-old illegitimate daughter of Daikichi’s grandfather, and Daikichi decides to take her in when no one in the family accepts the responsibility.

I've heard very good things about the manga, and the PV has to be the cutest thing I've seen in ages! If you need further convincing to watch it, its one of the season's two noitaminA slot series, and they rarely disappoint.

(Original post by Summary:)
Anime adaptation of Atsuko Asano & Hinoki Kino’s manga series.
The story is set in No. 6, a future model city in 2013. Raised as a top-ranking elite since the age of 2, a boy named Shion lives in an exclusive area in No. 6. On the night of his 12th birthday, he rescues a boy who calls himself Nezumi (Rat). Nezumi ran away from the city’s Special Security Area. From that moment on, Shion’s life is changed forever…

Here's the other noitaminA show! The very near future setting should be interesting, I'm hoping to see subtle, believable improvements on current technology (though I've seen it labeled sci-fi, so maybe not). Other than that the preview and synopsis seem fairly generic, so I'm hoping it'll live up to the usual high standard of the slot.

(Original post by Summary:)
New instalment in the Blood franchise – this with character designs from CLAMP & written by Nanase Ookawa, the main writer for the mangaka group.

Cara: There is no proper series summary for this incarnation of the Blood franchise yet – here’s one for the original movie.
“Teropterids are evil beasts which pose as humans and live only to drink human blood. Fortunately for the human world there are groups dedicated to destroying them. A brooding and mysterious girl named Saya is the best teropterid slayer there is, and now, in 1960’s Japan, she is sent to a U. S. army base which may be infested…”

As Cara says, they're keeping quiet on the details for this one. And since I've not watched Blood: The Last Vampire or Blood+, coming up with an impression beyond 'ooh, pretty character design~' has proven impossible. The combination of a well known franchise and CLAMP certainly make it stand out though, so I'm hoping I won't need to have seen the others to watch this.

(Original post by Summary:)
Anime adaptation of Hajime Asano’s light novel series.
Seventeen year old Konoe Subaru is the butler of classmate Suzutsuki Kanade. One day, classmate Sakamoto Kinjirou discovers that Konoe is actually a girl.

Honest first impression after reading the summary: generic. The trailer didn't do much to change my mind, neither did the fact Feel are producing it. However, I'm a sucker for traps (reverse or otherwise) and catgirls, so I may still end up following it.

(Original post by Summary:)
In the original Xbox 360 game, the player manages the careers of 10 aspiring Japanese idol singers as a producer.

This franchise has already inspired an anime adaptation, albeit an alternate universe one where the idols were actually mech pilots... have to say that sounds more interesting than a straight adaptation of the game. Let's hope that the music is good at least.

(Original post by Summary:)
Anime adaptation of Gakuto Mikumo’s light novel series.
Hugh Anthony Disward inherits an old mansion and a personal library from his grandfather. In the basement of the mansion, he meets a mysterious girl Dalian. She is a Dantalian and a gateway to “Dantalian’s bookshelf”, which stores the prohibited books of the demons.

This is by the same author as Asura Cryin', if that makes a difference to anyone. Doesn't sound hugely original, but the character designs are nice, and anything potentially dark and demonic deserves a look. Also, GAINAX.

(Original post by Summary:)
Second season of the anime adaptation of Kenji Inoue’s light novel series.
Advanced placement into a school of higher grade proof-reading is determined by the results of the Promotion Test strictly for class type. Ranging from A class with the best facilities anyone can offer all the way down to F Class which is composed of low dining tables, rotten tatami mats and other worn out facilities. Students can change classes by competing using the Examination Summons Battle system or ESB. Students summon characters with their equivalent test mark scores and use them to compete with other classes.

This is the only sequel I'm picking up this season, having not seen Natsume Yuujinchou or Nurarihyon no Mago. Getting back to the summoning spirit battles that they forgot about mid-season last time would definitely be a bonus, but TBH I'd happily watch a full season of those fun characters just acting like the idiots they are.

(Original post by Summary:)
Anime adaptation of Hinata Takeda’s manga series.
The story takes place in the second half of the 19th century, as Japanese culture gains popularity in the West. A young Japanese girl, Yune, accompanies a French traveller, Oscar, on his journey back to France, and offers to help at the family’s ironwork shop in Paris. Oscar’s nephew and shop owner Claude reluctantly accepts to take care of Yune, and we learn how those two, who have so little in common, get to understand each other and live together in the Paris of the 1800s.

Well the setting is different, the music is very nice, and like so many other series this season it's just very pretty! Will definitely give this a chance.

(Original post by Summary:)
Anime adaptation of Takaya Kagami’s (Legend of the Legendary Heroes) light novel series.
The “reverse school fantasy” light novel series follow an ordinary high school boy named Taito Kurogane who is given a “poison” by a female vampire named Saitohimea, thus changing his life.

What the heck does “reverse school fantasy” even mean? I look at this and see another pantyshot-ridden school anime with vampires. MEH.

(Original post by Summary:)
Anime adaptation of FLIPFLOPs comedy manga series.
Koyama Yuzu is running an antique shop. Mayu, a cat god (nekogami), is living off Yuzu and leads an idle life playing games. Unexpected visitors in the form of other goddesses visit Mayu and enjoy merrymaking.

What is it with AIC, their related companies, and anime involving cats? Asobi ni Iku Yo, Nyan Koi!, Mayoi Neko Overrun, and now this (not complaining though). Also, do these characters look like blatant Touhou ripoffs to anyone else? Might be amusing, but I'm not expecting much.

(Original post by Summary:)
Anime adaptation of Hideki Yamada’s manga series.
It is currently the Taiheimeji Era. It is a reign ruled by the Tokugawa shogunate. Inside this shogunate, there is a group of warriors that support the government. They are the Manyuu Clan.
In this current era, breasts mean everything. If you have breasts, you are guaranteed wealth and popularity. If you lack them, you are rarely considered "human". Members of the Manyuu Clan help raise the future big breasts. Written on a secret scroll possessed by the clan, there is said to be various techniques on how to grow big and beautiful breasts.
Chifusa is to be successor of the clan. However, she takes the secret scroll and runs away with it, hoping to fight against the cruel world that the Manyuu Clan has created...

From the people that brought you Seikon no Qwaser: more breasts! Come on now, it's no secret that I enjoy series like Queen's Blade or Sekirei, but surely things have gone too far when the fanservice is actually key to a show's plot. Chances are I wouldn't have touched Qwaser with a bargepole if I hadn't liked the fun characters and decent animation from the censored version, but based on the trailer for Manyuu the character designs aren't great, so I don't think I'll bother with this.

(Original post by Summary:)
Anime adaptation of Broccoli’s 2010 PSP otome game.
In the slapstick romantic comedy, a girl goes to a school for the performing arts with boys who are budding idols.

Amusing that there's two game-based idol anime airing in one season, focusing on idols of both sexes. But since The IDOLM@STER is blatantly aimed at my demographic, I see no reason to watch thi... OMFG Norio Wakamoto is in it, I'm sold.

(Original post by Summary:)
TV anime adaptation of Tae Sano’s 4-koma manga series.
The story follows the everyday life of a high school girl named Mayu Morita who is exceedingly gentle and thoughtful, to the point that she does not say much of anything to anyone.

Naotaka Hayashi has been episode director for lots of stuff (Birdy the Mighty Decode, Bokurano, Infinite Stratos), but this is his 1st full series.

As much as I like 4-koma adaptations, the PV animation is pretty bad. Though to be fair, it is the director and Studio Gram's first anime, so I'll give it a shot.

(Original post by Summary:)
Anime adaptation of Hiroyuki Fushimi & Takuya Fujima’s light novel series.
The story centres around Taketo Akutagawa, a student with a secret: he is a talented pornographic novelist with a newspaper-serialized work. He enrols in a school that only accepts geniuses, and risqué trouble ensues there.

WHY YOU DO THIS AIC? More harem fanservice, and the fact it shares a trailer with Dantalian no Shoka only serves to make the latter look even more generic...

(Original post by Summary:)
Second season of the anime adapation of Hiroshi Shiibashi’s shounen manga series.
Rikuo Nura, is 3 parts human and a quarter Demon, lives in a house of spirits with his grandfather, The current clan head of the Nura youkai. Rikou is set to be the next clan head, despite the fact he dislikes his demon side. He soon come to terms with his demon blood and decides to take his position as young master of the Nura house. However there are those who will certainly not allow it to be easy.

Haven't seen season 1, so I'll let those who have form their own opinion.

(Original post by Summary:)
TV anime adaptation of Sammy’s magical girl slot machine game series.
Haruka Minazuki and Aoi Kannazuki are freshman high school students and best friends. During the day they help with school activities but at night they thwart enemies like Black Auction and other villains as Red Angel and Blue Angel, the Twin Angel team.

The title alone is off-putting. The fact it's based on a slot machine series isn't promising. The short OP clip in the trailer hurt my ears. But the final nail in the coffin (for me at least) is the fact this is another J.C. Staff show featuring Rie Kugimiya voicing a loli. I'll start watching their shows again when they stop being repetitive.

(Original post by Summary:)
Original series from Sunrise.
Marketed as “a new school battle action project” with the tagline “People’s memories change the world!”

Is that like “reverse school fantasy”, but with mechs? I'm getting a real Code Geass vibe from it, which isn't a bad thing, and apparently FictionJunction are doing the OP, so I pretty much have to watch this.

(Original post by Summary:)
The Story revolves around Narumi Fujishima an ordinary high school boy who remains isolated from his fellow classmates. One afternoon classmate Ayaka Shinozaki invites Narumi to join the gardening club and introduces him to a reclusive detective named Alice. Alice hires Narumi as an assistant and puts him to work solving the strange mysteries of Angel fix, an illegal drug. Little does he know it could put him and Ayaka in serious trouble...

I said I'd give J.C. Staff another chance when they offered me something different, and two series down the list they may have managed just that. Looks like this will be their high budget show for this season too!

(Original post by Summary:)
The story centres around a high school freshman boy named Subaru Hasegawa who joined the basketball team, but the club gets suspended because their leader falls in love with the 11 year old daughter of the coaching teacher. Subaru somehow ends up as a coach of an elementary school’s basketball team with five girls.

Erm... what? Plot aside, the animation looks bloody decent for a collaboration project between three studios that haven't produced anything before, but that's about all it has going for it at the moment.

(Original post by Summary:)
Anime adaptation of yukiusa’s popular “The Gothic World of Nyanpire” doujinshi series.
The story follows a black cat who was abandoned and left to starve. Just before the cat’s life was to be extinguished, a vampire emerged from the darkness and gave it blood. Now, “Nyanpire” (a combination of the Japanese pronunciations for a cat’s meow and “vampire”) lives as a seemingly ordinary house cat raised by a human girl.

I've compared studio GONZO to a zombie in the past; forever dying, resurrecting, then dying again, the standard of their shows slowly decaying each time. Here's hoping Nyanpire is good enough to show that they're back in business and very much alive. So far, it looks cute, but that's about it.

(Original post by Summary:)
OVA adaptation for Dengeki G’s Magazine’s Baby Princess project.
It’s about a family of 19 sisters — from a newborn baby to a graduating high school senior. In the novel version, a high school senior named Youtarou thought he was an only child — until he met his real mother and discovered that she has 19 daughters from ages 0 to 18. He ends up living with his “true family.

YES. This, right here, is the best justification for 3D anime I've ever heard... or not.

(Original post by Summary:)
OVA adaptation for D3 Publisher’s Vitamin X otome game franchise.
The story is set at Seitei Gakuen, an elite private academy that teaches every level from kindergarten until college in Tokyo. A new female teacher named Y?ri Minami is starting her second year of teaching here, and she is now moving up from teaching middle school students to the assignment she had sought after: grammar for high school students. Unfortunately, she gets assigned to “Class X,” an infamous group of seniors; it is said that all of their previous teachers have retired due to ulcers or neurosis. Minami must try to reach out to these students and get them into college.

I'm not the target audience, the character designs are weird, and IMO Nomad have been going swiftly downhill since their promising start with Rozen Maiden. Do not want.

(Original post by Summary:)
Third anime adaptation of Idea Factory’s otome game.
After a resounding defeat and the loss of some comrades Chizuru Yukimura and the Shinsengumi head to Ezo to fight the new government's army. However, all does not go well.

Defeat? Does this mean they actually fought in series 2!? Still not enough to make me watch more of this rubbish.

(Original post by Summary:)
Fourth anime adaptation of 07th Expansion’s visual novel franchise.
It’s a collection of four mini-stories, one adaptation and three original, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the franchise. The original Higurashi no Naku Koro ni visual novel software revolved around murders that coincide with an annual festival in a quiet rural village.

There are so many versions of Higurashi that could be adapted, and they settle for three anime original stories and one that was, to quote the Higurashi Wiki, “ultimately dropped... because it was too silly and not exactly relevant to the rest of the story”. I'm really beginning to worry that DEEN are going to flog this franchise until its dead, then keep flogging it.

(Original post by Summary:)
Latest instalment of Kazuya Minekura’s Sayuki franchise – this is based on the Saiyuki Gaiden manga which is set 500 years before the original Saiyuki series.
A heretic child with golden eyes is brought to Heaven and given into the reluctant care of a minor deity, Konzen, nephew of the Merciful Goddess Kanzeon Bosatsu. Konzen eventually names him "Goku". Goku befriends two other minor gods, Marshal Tenpou and General Kenren of the Western Army of Heaven, and a boy who seems to be his age, the War Prince Nataku. Though Goku is happy in his new home, Heaven is not kind to heretics.

Haven't seen anything else from this franchise, so won't watch this yet.

Bunny Drop is finally coming out! Instant watch. And BONES are doing a show for noitaminA?!? I think I may have died and gone to heaven!
Also well done both of you for getting this out together so quickly. These are always so informative!

There are so many versions of Higurashi that could be adapted, and they settle for three anime original stories and one that was, to quote the Higurashi Wiki, “ultimately dropped... because it was too silly and not exactly relevant to the rest of the story”. I'm really beginning to worry that DEEN are going to flog this franchise until its dead, then keep flogging it.

(Original post by Pippin4242)
Bunny Drop is finally coming out! Instant watch. And BONES are doing a show for noitaminA?!? I think I may have died and gone to heaven!
Also well done both of you for getting this out together so quickly. These are always so informative!

The media-distribution website Crunchyroll has posted an English banner for the Usagi Drop television anime series on its website, although it has not yet announced its titles for the Summer 2011 season. Clicking on the backdrop takes you to a "http://www.crunchyroll.com/usagi-drop" URL, however, currently that website gives an error message stating: "Document not found, sorry!" The anime will premiere in Japan on July 7.

Seems Crunchyroll might have beaten Fannymotion to another noitaminA show, that or they're just very hopeful. I'll wait for official confirmation before starting an OP list of licensed series, however.